How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Cedar County, NE?

Fees are calculated as: Contact the Zoning Administrator for current fee schedule. Fees are set by the Cedar County Board and may be amended by resolution.. Plan check fee: Not applicable; no structural plan review conducted..

What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Cedar County, NE?

The following work is generally exempt: Agricultural structures on qualifying farmsteads (20+ acres, $1,000+ annual farm product value) per Neb. Rev. Stat. § 23-114.03; Farm construction exempt from Nebraska State Building Code per § 71-6403. Note: Agricultural exemptions are conditional and apply only to qualifying farmsteads. Zoning compliance (setbacks, land use) may still apply. Structures converted from agricultural to residential or commercial use do not qualify for the exemption.

How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Cedar County, NE?

Inspections can be scheduled via: Cedar County Courthouse, 101 S. Broadway Ave., Hartington, (402) 254-7411. Contact the County Clerk during business hours..

County Building Permits

Cedar County, NE - 2026 Building Permit Guide

How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Cedar County, Nebraska. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Nebraska Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

All properties in the unincorporated areas of Cedar County. Properties within the incorporated City of Hartington or Villages of Laurel, Coleridge, Wynot, Bow Valley, Fordyce, Obert, and St. Helena are subject to their respective municipal jurisdictions.

Department: Cedar County Zoning Administration
Address: 101 S. Broadway Ave., Hartington, NE 68739
Phone: (402) 254-7411
Website: https://www.cedarcountyne.gov/

Online Permit Portal

Open Cedar County Website

Platform: No online portal • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only

Additional resources:

Application Process

Confirm the property's zoning district via gWorks (cedar.gworks.com) or by calling the County Clerk at (402) 254-7411.
Determine if the proposed structure qualifies for the agricultural exemption under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 23-114.03.
Download the Zoning Application form from cedarcountyne.gov or pick up in person at the courthouse.
Complete the application and submit with a site plan showing proposed structure location, setbacks from property lines and roads, and description of intended use.
The Zoning Administrator presents the application to the Cedar County Board, which meets monthly. Routine residential and agricultural permits may be approved administratively.
Pay the applicable permit fee at the time of application.
Receive the zoning/building permit before construction begins.
Verify compliance with all statewide requirements (State Fire Marshal for commercial, NDEE septic registration, electrical inspections, etc.).

Typical processing time: 2–4 weeks for routine permits, potentially longer if County Board approval is required.

Source: Cedar County Zoning Administration

General Requirements

A zoning permit is required for all non-agricultural buildings in unincorporated Cedar County before construction begins. Agricultural structures on qualifying farmsteads (20+ acres, $1,000+ annual farm product value) are exempt under § 23-114.03.

Required Documents

Completed Zoning Application
Site plan or sketch showing structure location
Setback dimensions from property lines and roads
Description of intended use
Property legal description or assessor's parcel number

Permit validity: Permits are valid during the construction period. Confirm current validity requirements with the Zoning Administrator at (402) 254-7411.
Building code: Cedar County unincorporated areas do NOT administer a comprehensive structural building code (IBC/IRC) for residential construction. The county regulates zoning compliance (setbacks, land use, dimensional standards) only. Residential structures are not subject to structural plan review or county-level inspections.
Contractor requirements: All contractors performing work on real property in Nebraska must register with the Nebraska Department of Labor annually ($25 fee) and provide proof of workers' compensation insurance.

Fees

Plan check fee: Not applicable; no structural plan review conducted.
Permit fee formula: Contact the Zoning Administrator for current fee schedule. Fees are set by the Cedar County Board and may be amended by resolution.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Cedar County Zoning Administration to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

Cedar County Courthouse, 101 S. Broadway Ave., Hartington (in-person)
(402) 254-7411 (phone)

Scheduling deadline: Contact the County Clerk during business hours.
Inspection hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM

Typical inspection sequence: Cedar County does not conduct structural inspections on residential construction in unincorporated areas. Site inspections may be conducted to verify zoning compliance (setbacks, land use). Commercial and public structures are subject to Nebraska State Fire Marshal plan review and inspection.

Additional Resources

Building code: Cedar County unincorporated areas do NOT administer a comprehensive structural building code (IBC/IRC) for residential construction. The county regulates zoning compliance (setbacks, land use, dimensional standards) only. Residential structures are not subject to structural plan review or county-level inspections.
Zoning information: View zoning info
Nebraska State Fire Marshal (Commercial/Public Structures)
Nebraska State Electrical Division District 1 (Inspector: Bruce Hoffman)
Nebraska NDEE Onsite Wastewater Program (Septic Registration)
Nebraska Department of Labor Contractor Registration
FEMA Flood Map Service Center
Nebraska DWEE Floodplain Interactive Map
License lookup guide: Nebraska Contractor License Requirements
Contract template: Nebraska Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
Nebraska hub: Nebraska Contractor License & Permit Hub

Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Cedar County Zoning Administration before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cedar County Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Cedar County, NE?: A zoning permit is required for all non-agricultural buildings in unincorporated Cedar County before construction begins. Agricultural structures on qualifying farmsteads (20+ acres, $1,000+ annual farm product value) are exempt under § 23-114.03.
How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Cedar County, NE?: Fees are calculated as: Contact the Zoning Administrator for current fee schedule. Fees are set by the Cedar County Board and may be amended by resolution.. Plan check fee: Not applicable; no structural plan review conducted..
How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Cedar County, NE?: 1. Confirm the property's zoning district via gWorks (cedar.gworks.com) or by calling the County Clerk at (402) 254-7411. 2. Determine if the proposed structure qualifies for the agricultural exemption under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 23-114.03. 3. Download the Zoning Application form from cedarcountyne.gov or pick up in person at the courthouse. 4. Complete the application and submit with a site plan showing proposed structure location, setbacks from property lines and roads, and description of intended use. 5. The Zoning Administrator presents the application to the Cedar County Board, which meets monthly. Routine residential and agricultural permits may be approved administratively. 6. Pay the applicable permit fee at the time of application. 7. Receive the zoning/building permit before construction begins. 8. Verify compliance with all statewide requirements (State Fire Marshal for commercial, NDEE septic registration, electrical inspections, etc.).
How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Cedar County, NE?: Typical processing time is 2–4 weeks for routine permits, potentially longer if County Board approval is required..
What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Cedar County, NE?: The following work is generally exempt: Agricultural structures on qualifying farmsteads (20+ acres, $1,000+ annual farm product value) per Neb. Rev. Stat. § 23-114.03; Farm construction exempt from Nebraska State Building Code per § 71-6403. Note: Agricultural exemptions are conditional and apply only to qualifying farmsteads. Zoning compliance (setbacks, land use) may still apply. Structures converted from agricultural to residential or commercial use do not qualify for the exemption.
How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Cedar County, NE?: Inspections can be scheduled via: Cedar County Courthouse, 101 S. Broadway Ave., Hartington, (402) 254-7411. Contact the County Clerk during business hours..

Need help with your project?

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Important: This page is an educational resource provided by jaspector.com. It is not legal advice, and it does not substitute for official guidance from the permit authority listed above. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with the issuing department before beginning any construction project. Use of this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Jaspector assumes no liability for any outcomes arising from reliance on this information.

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